With an excess of Sixty Government-owned Hospitals in its kitty, there is no doubting the fact that Delta State prides itself as one of the best States in Nigeria in terms of health care delivery.
Successive administrations in the oil-rich State, has, over the years, placed high premium on the health care delivery of its citizens and residents in the State.
This, it has achieved through the instrumentalities of one of its parastatals and Boards-The Delta State Hospitals Management Board (HMB).
The Board which was part of the state’s structure after its creation from the defunct Bendel State in 1991, continues to play a vital role in the state’s healthcare system, with a focus on delivering quality services to its citizens
Charged with the responsibility of overseeing the over Sixty Hospitals across the 25 local government areas of the State, the HMB provides healthcare services in various fields, including; Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatrics
The board aims to deliver efficient healthcare services through an administrative framework that facilitates prompt and timely services. To achieve effective management, the over Sixty Hospitals, it is understood, are structured into 11 Medical Zones with the core value of Providing healthcare services to Deltans and residents in the State as well as offering internship programs for healthcare professionals to gain practical experience and enhance their skills
Like every other establishment, the Board is governed by law-The Delta State Hospitals Management Board (HMB) law. The Delta State Hospitals Management Board law establishes the framework for managing healthcare services in the State.
The law enacted over Seventeen years ago, is considered obsolete in relation to the present Socio-economic realities, hence the need for amendment as being sought by the State House of Assembly.
A bill to that effect; A bill for a law to amend the Delta State Hospital Management Law, 2008 and for related purposes which is currently at the committee stage in the State House of Assembly, has since sailed through first and second readings.
The bill which has the Chairman, House committee on Health and member representing Isoko South 11 State Constituency, Hon. Ferguson Onwo as lead sponsor, has Twenty-three other members as co-sponsors.
Co-sponsors of the bii include; the deputy Speaker and member representing Ethiope-East State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, the majority leader of the House and member representing Aniocha North State Constituency, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, Minority leader of the House and member representing Uvwie State Constituency, Hon. Edafe Emakpor and Member representing Bomadi State Constituency, Hon. Kenneth Oboro Preyor.
Other co-sponsors of the bill include; Hon. Charles Emetulu, member representing Ndokwa West State Constituency, Hon. Festus Okoh, member representing Ika South state Constituency, Hon. Matthew Omonade, member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency, Hon. Augustine Uroye, member representing Warri South 1 state Constituency, Hon. Frank Esenwa, member representing Oshimili North State Constituency, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, member representing Ika North-East State Constituency, Hon. Oloye Pereotu, member representing Burutu 11 State Constituency and, Perkins Umukoro, member representing Sapele star constituency.
The bill is also being co-sponsored by Hon. Isaac Anwuzia, Member representing Aniocha South state Constituency, Hon. Bernard Odior, member representing Isoko North State Constituency, Hon. Festus Utuama, member representing Ughelli South state Constituency, Hon. Ovie Collins, member representing Udu State Constituency, Hon. Benson Obire, member representing Warri South 11 State Constituency and Hon. Anthony Alapala, Member representing Burutu 1 state Constituency.
The list also include; Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, member representing Oshimili South state Constituency, Hon. Emmanuel Sinibe, member representing Patani State Constituency, Hon. Spencer Ohwofa, member representing Ughelli North 11 State Constituency, Hon. James Augoye, member representing Okpe State Constituency and Hon. Bino Obowomano Owhede, member representing Isoko South 1 state Constituency.
Leading debate on the bill during its second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly, the lead sponsor of the bill and Chairman, House committee on health, Hon. Ferguson Onwo held that the need for the proposed amendment of the bill is mostly predicated on the obsolete nature of some sections of the law.
He particularly hinted on the section 35 of the principal law which is principally on the life saving fund of the Board which is a financial assistance program aimed at providing support for emergency medical treatments, surgeries, or other life-threatening conditions.
The fund, according to Hon Onwo is a N10M yearly as contained in the principal law of 2008. The fund, he noted is spread across the over Sixty hospitals under the purview of the State Hospitals Management Board.
While saying that the fund is currently grossly inadequate in relation to the present economic realities, the House of Assembly committee Chairman on health hinted that in the amendment being sought, the House is proposing an upward review of the fund to N50 Million as against the N10 Million.
Also, he noted that in the principal law, the board is expected to be headed by a Director,stressing that currently, the Board has a Permanent Secretary at the helm of affairs.
He argued that when passed and signed into law, the amendment sought would help to strengthen the board and align it with the present realities adding that some sections and clauses in the law are no longer in tandem with the present economic realities and in relation to the present health sector.
He enjoined the lawmakers to throw their weights behind the proposed amendment in order to position the Board for greater achievements.
Speaking on the merits of the bill some of the lawmakers who included the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo, the member representing Oshimili South, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu among others, noted that when passed and signed into law, the proposed law seeks among other things to strengthen the State Health sector.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor referred the bill to the House joint committee on Special bill and House committee on Health.
